Your dress is beautiful, I was expecting something really bad from your previous posts. You need to find someone to practice on the corset, because it requires some skills to get the hourglass shape and beautiful lace-up at the back.

As for the measurements, it is always better to find a tailor to take them instead of doing it yourself. I wear custom made suits, because of my sub-zero size and the fact that I refused to wear pants that make me look as if I am wearing diapers. The measurement taken by my suits' tailor is always 0.5 to 1.5 inch different than what I got when I measure myself, and of course I gave the tailor ones to Monica Bridal to make my dress.

My dress has zipper, because I want to try it on all the time, and I know I can't do that with a corset lace-up dress. My challenge is actually not to lose weight which I usually do when I am under stress, from 95 lbs to 85-90lbs. Of course I already got plan B, I bought a microfiber corset with ultra push up cups and a roll of fashion tape, so in case of any weight loss, I will wear the corset and tape the dress on it!

Sebita,

Almost like the original at fraction of the cost!

Bree,

The dress is much nicer without the strap, and it looks amazing on you.

Slave Labour? - My Mom was a bit concerned that we are supporting 'slave labour' in China with these dresses. She just can't fathom how it could be made so inexpensively without paying the workers pennies to make it. I'm not convinced this is the case, I think it is just the reality of manufacturing in China and until their government improves labour laws, everyone, corporate companies and name brands included, are benefiting from the 'cheap' labour in China. But then, maybe corporations are more stringent in insuring their workers overseas are paid fairly... I really don't know... Maybe someone on here would know more? I do plan on doing more research on it myself and will let you guys know what I find out.

Overall a great experience!

Ok, as a chinese born in Hong Kong and raised in China, Hong Kong and Canada, who has been to China lately, I can give my 2 cents on this. First of all, most of the workers in the wedding dress industry make $2000 RMB per month on average. For the US brides, that is around $295 USD per month. For Canadian brides, well you girls are smart enough to do the conversion ( just do it at par approx.). Is it slave labour? No! life is tough in China, people don't have health insurance, unemployment benefits and they pay income taxes. However, $2000 RMB is still better than what they would get if they've stayed in a farm. It is almost like mexicans, they work hard for 12 hours/ day, for much less than what we make, and they are happy. A wedding dress in China would cost $50-$150 USD on average, and LaSposa is like the Vera Wang there.

For those who bought a Maggie /Pronovias/ Lasposa/St-Patrick dress, people who made your dress earn $295 USD per month, so for a $1500 dress, most of the profit went to the corporates and the retailers. Is it an abuse? No. because most of these workers are happy about their job, eager to perform well. For those who chatted with the Monica Bridal rep, try the same thing with your cellphone provider (i.e. negociate ur monthly fees with a customized plan that fits your needs), I will be very surprised if you get the same response ..like (YES, sure...you are an important client!..we can do that..cheaper? ok..no problem!) However, it makes me wonder what the unions gave us, an uncompetitive/high cost workforce? maybe.

So for those who are 110% against buying from China, the original Vera Wang, Amsale and Monique Lhuiller dresses are 100% made in USA.

Bonnie, I was hoping you would come in and comment on this because i knew you might have the knowledge to give us some honest answers. Thank you for sharing, I did believe that what you explained was the case, but I feel a lot better hearing it from you. I'm sure a lot of the other brides feel the same! So thank you! Ps- super envious that your problem is losing weight on your already tiny frame!! Lol

I found my dress design on Gianinar.com..YAY!!! ... but It looks a little different from the dress I really want. I think the only difference is that it is not done in satin. I emailed them and they gave me a quote of $140 shipping included for that design but made in satin.

My question is...do you think I will get the dress from the (last) pictures by just saying change the fabric to satin?? I will also send them the pictures of how I want it to look.

For those who have bought from Gianinar, how long did it take for them to complete the dress/send pictures?

Thanks again for the help!

The above pictures are of the design I have been wanting, but I don't really like the look of it. Hopefully, it is just because of the material, and maybe because its not fitted enough on the manequin.

And here is my dream dress...

Based on this last picture, what material would I ask them to use under the dress? Is it just satin (with lace sections) and then underneath is it tulle

terilina - congrats on finding your design! I think it is the difference in the fabric and seeing it on the mannequin. So many dresses look completely different once they are on your body. I think it will look amazing as long as you have the right proportions for the dress. I would definitely take the advice of prettypigpig and get your measurements done by a professional. With a dress like that, you want to ensure a perfect fit!

Looks like simply a change in the fabric and the color. The dress looks to be ivory to me in the photos of the bride you posted. Other than that, the fit is different because it's not a real person. I'm betting once you get it fit to your body, it will be perfect. That, by the way, is a gorgeous dress. One of my favs.

You have to try on some dresses with similar style before ordering it. DO NOT based your decisions on how it fits on the plastic/a 6 ft tall mannequin or based on the pics of that asian bride. Same thing with the color, you need to try on Ivory, Off white, white, diamond white...etc in order to see which color fits you the best.

Bonnie, I was hoping you would come in and comment on this because i knew you might have the knowledge to give us some honest answers. Thank you for sharing, I did believe that what you explained was the case, but I feel a lot better hearing it from you. I'm sure a lot of the other brides feel the same! So thank you! Ps- super envious that your problem is losing weight on your already tiny frame!! Lol

Breeze,

Seriously, buying a dress from China is like going to Walmart, it is bad for the US economy, but it is not a labor abuse. It is not like buying a Tanzarnite or a blood diamond.

For unknown reasons, I have to eat a lot to maintain my weight and besides window shopping, I don't exercise. I eat out at restaurants everyday for lunch due to biz lunches, and eat whatever I want in the afternoon and night. My FI calls me a Yaris that consumes like a Hummer.